Pokes fun at human foibles and folly with a witty, gentle, and even indulgent tone.

Denounces, sometimes harshly, human vice and error in dignified and solemn tones.

Speech or writing that abuses, denounces, or attacks. It can be directed against a person, cause, idea, or system. It employs a heavy use of negative emotive language.

A form of understatement that involves making an affirmative point by denying its opposite.

An imitation of another’s work with the idea of ridiculing the author, his or her ideas, or the work itself.

A voice or mask that an author, speaker, or performer assumes for a particular purpose.

An exaggeration or other distortion of characteristics to the point of making a person or group appear ridiculous.

A character says one thing but means the opposite.

Reality contradicts reader’s or character’s expectations. It's the opposite of what you expect.

The reader or another character knows something a character does not.

Word choice.

The writer's attitude or feelings toward a topic.

Comparing two unlike things.

Unbiased or neutral. Does not take a position. Does not show feelings.